Ice Returns to Barre: Volunteers Patch Rink for $50,000
Local labor and resources saved the BOR Arena from a season-ending closure, allowing youth hockey to resume immediately.
By Jessica Abebe ·
For the first time in weeks, the ice at the BOR Arena in Barre, Vermont, is playable. The facility reopened to the public on a Sunday morning after city officials had previously announced it would be closed for the remainder of the season. The change allows local athletes to resume training and competition on a surface that was previously unusable due to mechanical failure.
The repair effort cost approximately $50,000 in donated labor and resources. A group of local volunteers contributed the materials and work required to fix the broken ice system. This immediate intervention prevented a long-term shutdown, providing a functional rink for the community within days of the initial closure announcement.
Corey Gillander, a coach for the Vermont Flames youth hockey team, was among the first to use the newly repaired surface. Gillander, a Barre native who began playing at the BOR, nearly rescheduled his team’s Sunday game after learning the ice would not be ready. The arrival of the volunteers allowed the game to proceed as planned. Gillander noted that the rink is a central part of life for many local children.
Braxton Orr, a freshman on the Vermont Flames, described the experience of skating on the fresh ice as a positive development for the young players. He expressed appreciation for the volunteers who donated their time to ensure the rink would be operational. The team took the ice immediately after the repairs were completed, followed by the Barre Figure Skating Club, which also uses the arena as its home rink.
City officials stated that the arena’s aging pipe system has required numerous temporary fixes over the decades. They do not guarantee that the current repairs will hold for the entire season. The freezing system requires a full replacement to ensure long-term stability. Gillander described the current fix as a temporary patch that buys time for the city to plan a more permanent solution.
Players reported that the quality of the ice is suitable for competitive play. Orr described the surface as smooth and excellent for skating. The Vermont Flames completed their game on the repaired ice, marking the arena’s return to active use after a brief period of uncertainty.
